SPC flooring is becoming more and more popular thanks to all it’s remarkably desirable traits and features. However, how much do you really know about SPC flooring? Nothing is perfect in this world, it is no surprise that SPC flooring also carries some downsides with it.

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It is only fair enough if you are made known of the pros and cons of SPC flooring before you join the SPC fanatic troop.

Here are the lists of SPC flooring pro’s and con’s.

Advantages of SPC Flooring

Wide Range Of Style And Selections

This huge variation of styles give you abundant freedom to come out with the pattern and arrangement you like. If you are a risk taker, have fun mix-and-match with different colors to create your desired look. Just let your creativity flow!

Real Wood-like Design

Timeless design mimicking the beauty of nature is in fact what makes SPC flooring so popular. Some brands even able to achieve the real-wood likeliness that is difficult to tell the difference from far.You can proudly said that it is a ‘wood’ flooring without all the drawbacks of real wood. Isn’t it wonderful?

Budget Friendly

Generally, SPC flooring is way more affordable than hardwood flooring and yet it’s able to provide the same natural wood-look effect you desire. The installation cost is also inexpensive. You can even save up the labour cost by going diy the installation. Needless to say, it is definitely an alternative to expensive wood flooring.

Able To Sustain High Traffic

Don’t be surprise that SPC flooring is able to handle high traffic activity better than other type of flooring. In fact, this feature is one of the main reason why SPC flooring is so popular. It can sustain lots of foot traffic which is very suitable for large family or active people.

Durable And Long-lasting

Don’t be surprised to find SPC flooring can actually last 20 years over if it’s well maintained. That is also why some big brands of SPC flooring is able to provide warranties of 15 years and above.The quality range of SPC and ways of manufacture are the determining factors of how well your SPC flooring lasts. Speaking of quality, here are the SPC material with prominent durable feature that you should not missed.

• Solid and composite SPC: These are the homogeneous type of SPC having high resistant against scratches and surface damage.

• Fiber-glass reinforced SPC: It is one of the most durable type as fiber-glass is great for it’s strength and flexibility. This type of SPC material is extremely durable and able to sustain heavy-duty usage.

Easy To Clean And Maintain

If you are not a homemaker or not having much time for house chores, SPC flooring might be what you need. All you have to do is to sweep and damp mop occasionally and it will be sufficient to keep your house clean.

Even if you found any damaged pieces or tiles, you can simply replace each individual piece without having to remove the entire flooring. You will soon find that maintaining the condition of SPC flooring is much easier comparing to other type of flooring.

Learn more tips on maintenance and cleaning here ‘17 Ultimate Guide of SPC Flooring Care, Clean and Maintenance’!

Underfoot Comfort

SPC flooring is not as hard as wood flooring. A thin layer of foam or felt is normally use to backed SPC flooring.

This padded structure adds softness and flexibility and makes standing long hours feel less tired. The level of comfortness when stepping on it is also different from any other type of flooring could offer.

Simple And Direct Installation

SPC flooring can be installed directly on top of your existing floor as long as the condition of your flooring is flat and smooth. The installation is pretty simple particularly for click-lock type. It is said to be designed for people who love diy!

Stain Resistant

There is one type of SPC flooring which is famously known for stain resistant. It’s the printed SPC tiles or sheets. The theory behind is the wear layer on the SPC surface that act as a protective barriers against spillage and stains.

Since not all type of SPC flooring has strong stain resistant, you might want to avoid composite or solid SPC if this feature is your main concern.

Water Resistant

SPC flooring that is well-installed is almost seamless which makes it difficult for water to sips in. This interesting benefit allow it to be installed in almost every area of your house including laundry area.

Disadvantages of SPC Flooring

Difficult Subfloor Preparation

Subfloor should be leveled, smooth, free of dust and dirt before installation. This process require you to put some time and effort in order to get a perfect outcome.

If the condition of subfloor is not well prepared, any particles trapped underneath will cause lumps and bumps on the SPC surface. This will cause serious flooring issues over time and can even lead to rip and tear of SPC parts.

No Extra Resale Value Added

Many might thought that by installing SPC flooring in your property will help elevate the resale value. But here’s the cold harsh truth… unlike hardwood flooring, SPC flooring is not providing any extra value if you plan to resell your property.

Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)s Emission

SPC flooring is produced from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that causes the release of volatile organic compound into the air, particularly when it is newly installed. You should ventilate the area by opening doors and windows after installation.

Worry about the indoor air quality? Fret not! Here comes the good news… most manufacturers are aware of this issue and lots of improvement has been done ever since year .

The result? Most of the SPC flooring in the market nowadays were produced using less PVC materials during production. Also, you can always refer to your SPC flooring manufacturer for certification on emission standard.

Difficult To Remove Once Installed

You would need time and patient if you are planning to remove installed SPC flooring yourself. Depending on the type of SPC flooring installed, removing adhesive type would definitely cause you a mess.

Susceptible To Sharp Objects

Heavy furnitures, pet’s paws, sands or any sharp objects will leave scratches and abrasion on SPC flooring surface.

Extra care is needed when it comes to contact with sharp and abrasive objects. Always remember to cover SPC flooring with a layer of felt, mat or rugs to keep your flooring surface smooth.

Sensitive To Moisture

Don’t be confused. Not all SPC flooring are sensitive to moisure. However, SPC flooring of lower grade may swell or discolor when contact with moisture in a long term. Moisture that traps under SPC floor will encourage the growth of mold and causing odor.

However, there are some type of SPC flooring suitable to be installed in high moisture area. Just check with your SPC flooring supplier on it’s functionality before making any purchase.

Yellowing And Discoloration

Although SPC flooring can resist most of stains, but you should prevent strong chemical from coming into direct contact with SPC floor surface. Although yellowing of SPC flooring can be due to many factors, chemical emit from rubber is a major culprit of this issue. You could overcome this problem by replacing any rubber material to non-staining rubber material.

Discoloration is normally caused by long term exposure to UV light as well as dirt that traps underneath wax layer. However, not all SPC flooring will have discoloration, it all depends on the quality. High quality SPC will be safe from discoloration.

Toxic Hazard When Burned

Since SPC flooring is made of plastic material, it will release odor and toxic chemicals into the air when burn. Therefore, it is not recommended to be used in high heat or fire hazard area like commercial kitchen.

Environmental Issue

The material used to produce SPC flooring is not biodegradable. Therefore you can say that most SPC flooring is non-recyclable. But there are still certain manufacturers that produce recyclable SPC flooring. Worn out SPC flooring that is unable to be recycled will end up in landfills.

Overtime, chemicals released from worn SPC will become an environmental pollution. Not just that, the manufacturing process of SPC flooring also require high consumption of natural gas, petroleum and other non-renewable resources.

Unable To Be Refinished Or Repair

Despite that SPC flooring is generally known for its high durability, some low quality SPC flooring is easier to worn out or tear. Once it’s damaged, it is difficult to repair and the worse is no refinish work can be done. The only option is to have that particular piece replaced.

SPC tile or plank is much easier to replaced compare to SPC sheet in most case. So you should definitely put this to consider before choosing the type of SPC flooring best fits for your use.

What Others Said?

Here’s the last crucial point from people who installed SPC flooring previously…

Most of them found that the advantages of SPC flooring like affordable cost, high durability and excellent underfoot comfort actually outweigh the downsides of it, including the emission of VOCs.

At the end of the day, your consideration should also be including your budget, areas or rooms you want to install and most importantly your expectation based on the quality of SPC that you pay for. Also, check out our ‘Buyer’s Guide: Top 19 Questions You Should Ask When Purchasing SPC Flooring’ to learn more.

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SPC Vinyl Flooring vs Laminate Flooring: 10 Key Differences

Introduction

The two heavyweights of affordable, durable, and realistic wood-effect flooring on the Irish interior design market today are laminate and SPC vinyl, also known as Solid Polymer Core Vinyl Flooring.

Whether you’re outfitting a new commercial unit, redesigning your household interior, or you’re a contractor building a new home from scratch, laminate flooring and SPC vinyl offer two supremely versatile and functional options to choose from.

But which one is better suited to your specific needs, aesthetic taste, and project budget?

In our Tile Merchant interior design guide to wood-effect flooring, we’ll walk you through the 10 key differences between laminate and stone polymer composite vinyl, helping you to make an informed decision and finish off your indoor floors with ease and style.

SPC Vinyl Flooring vs Laminate Flooring: The 10 Key Differences

When it comes to wood-effect flooring, the benefits are countless. Low maintenance, easy installation, affordable price points and eco-friendliness are all part of what make SPC Vinyl and Laminate Flooring so alluring to the modern Irish homeowner, contractor, and interior designer.

Of course, whilst Stone polymer composite Flooring (SPC Vinyl Flooring) and Laminate both look quite similar, there are some subtle differences which make each product better suited to different installs and projects.

In our Tile Merchant comparison guide to Irish indoor flooring solutions, we’ll explore the various unique qualities of laminate flooring and SPC vinyl so that you can make the best, most informed decision possible for your next flooring project.

Composition

Kicking off our guide to the differences between laminate and SPC flooring, we’ll compare the makeup of these two stellar interior flooring options.

SPC Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring, also known as SPC, or ‘stone polymer composite’, is made from a mixture of synthetic materials and stone.

Top-quality SPC Vinyl like ours is composed of several distinct layers, each with its own unique purpose, in order to make a thick and durable plank of vinyl.

Stone polymer composite (SPC) Vinyl Flooring in Ireland combines several layers to create a versatile and resilient flooring option suitable for various spaces.

These layers include:

• A built-in underlayment: Where available, a built-in underlay makes SPC flooring softer underfoot, more comfortable, warmer and a better insulator for the home, and even reduces the noise of foot traffic across the Vinyl floor. Underlays also allow you to install SPC Vinyl Flooring directly on top of hard surfaces like concrete.
• SPC Core: At the core of Vinyl floors is a highly-dense extruded core material of stone-plastic composite, greatly enhancing the strength and durability of the floor tiles, and providing competitive stability and support to the overall vinyl floor.
• Print layer: The print layer of SPC flooring is what the photorealistic image is printed onto, mimicking the look of a variety of different natural woods, colours, and grains to an unmistakably realistic degree.
• Wear layer(s): Multiple transparent wear layers atop the print layer of vinyl flooring protect it against scratches, stains, and general household wear and tear.
• UV acrylic coating: And finally, all of our SPC vinyl flooring is finished with a UV-acrylic coat top layer, protecting the wood-effect design and core materials from the damaging rays of the sun. SPC Vinyl Flooring is made to last a long time, its stunning aesthetic incapable of fading in sunlight.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is also made up of several different layers, though it typically has fewer than SPC Vinyl, hence the difference in price, which we’ll discuss later.

Perhaps the biggest difference between laminate and SPC, however, is that laminate flooring includes an internal core of highly-compressed wood fibres, rather than stone.

• Built-in underlayment: Again optional, a built-in underlay benefits laminate flooring in the same way it does SPC Vinyl.
• Core: Laminate flooring is built around a core of highly-compressed wood fibres, making it durable but arguably a little less so than SPC, not to mention being slightly less eco-friendly.
• Print layer: Laminate flooring’s print layer is capable of mimicking to exacting standards the natural colours, finishes, grains and overall appearance of various materials, including real hardwood.
• Wear layer: Finally, a single transparent plastic wear layer tops off the laminate boards, protecting it against stains and general household wear and tear, though not from the sun’s UV rays, meaning that the lustre of your laminate may fade gradually in time.

Appearance

Time to assess the overall look and feel of these two sterling flooring options for Irish interior redesigns and renovations. Of course, we rightly feel that both laminate and SPC vinyl flooring look superb in any number of installations, but here it’s our job to explore whether one pips the other in terms of aesthetic appeal.

For a start, it’s worth noting that laminate flooring has been in use in Irish and international interior design for much longer than SPC Vinyl floor tiles. As such, laminate manufacturers are building on many decades of production knowledge, and so have had longer to perfect the art of replicating wood floors in a plastic image layer.

We believe that the laminate flooring we have in stock is of exquisite quality.

However, if we are to choose between the two, then we’d have to say that SPC vinyl flooring just pips laminate to the post in terms of photorealism.

As a thicker board with more room to play with, manufacturers are able to double-down on the photorealistic wooden appearance of the print layer with SPC Vinyl, compared to laminate. This gives SPC flooring a finished wood look barely distinguishable from the real thing.

Waterproof Rating

Regardless of where you plan to install your new wood-effect flooring, resistance to water is a factor which should not be overlooked. From naturally damp and messy rooms like the bathroom and kitchen, to utility cupboards and more, Ireland’s wet climate means that water resistance will often play a key role in deciding which flooring material is right for you.

And when it comes to waterproof ratings, there is really only one winner: SPC Vinyl.

Because whilst both vinyl and laminate floorboards are made of mostly synthetic materials, only SPC vinyl flooring uses stone instead of wood in its composite core, therefore making it 100% water-resistant.

Laminate wood-effect flooring, on the other hand, is potentially susceptible to water damage due to the compressed wood fibres making-up its core.

SPC Vinyl Flooring is, therefore, the better choice of flooring in rooms prone to damp or in need of regular mopping—rooms in the Irish home such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements and garages.

Heat Resistance

Whilst both laminate and SPC would make fantastic choices for your next Irish indoor flooring job, neither of them are 100% heat resistant. Thankfully, in a country like Ireland with an average temperature of 10°C, this shouldn’t prove too much of a problem.

If you are still worried about the impact of heat exposure on your flooring, however, e.g., you’re worried your laminate or vinyl floors may shrink or expand under extreme temperate fluctuations, then SPC vinyl is your best bet. It won’t warp in heat as much as laminate has the potential to.

The good news, and probably more pertinent to most Irish homeowners, is that when properly installed, both laminate floors and solid polymer core vinyl can be installed on top of underfloor heating (provided temperatures are kept below roughly 26°C).

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Waterproof SPC Flooring.

Maintenance

When it comes to choosing the ideal flooring for your home or business, the amount of care and cleaning the material requires can play a big part in your decision-making process.

For example, if choosing a wood-effect floor for a hospitality unit such as a café or restaurant, you’ll want one which is easy and quick to clean.

Good news all round, both laminate flooring and SPC vinyl tiles are deliberately designed with ease of maintenance in mind. Cleaning requires little more than a wipe with a damp cloth in order to remove most spills from either of these beautiful flooring options, a regular brush and hoover will catch the rest.

If, however, you’re installing flooring in a room which regularly accrues dirt and spills, such as a commercial or domestic kitchen, a bathroom or dining room, then you’ll need a flooring solution which can withstand regular mopping.

Because laminate is not 100% waterproof like SPC vinyl is, mopping could ultimately warp the material, making SPC Floor your best choice in these situations.

Top Tips: How to Clean Laminate Flooring - Laminate flooring adds a touch of elegance to your home. To ensure it remains a source of pride, a little cleaning know-how goes a long way. Don't worry, it’s simpler than you think! Discover our handy tips on How to Clean Laminate Flooring (Without Ruining It) and get ready to enjoy sparkling laminate floors capable of standing the test of time.

Durability

It is, of course, also important to work out which flooring option, laminate or SPC vinyl, is most durable.

Whilst durability isn’t always key to flooring installations, in high foot-traffic areas of the home it certainly comes into play.

Thankfully, both laminate and SPC are generally durable options.

In commercial use, for example, SPC Vinyl Flooring is called ‘resilient flooring’ thanks to its supreme durability. With all of those additional wear layers, an added underlayment and SPC’s super strong extruded core of stone and polymers, it is undoubtedly the more durable of the two flooring options.

At the same time, it is important to note that laminate flooring is also durable, but is just susceptible to delamination over time with exposure to water, and may fade over the years if exposed to direct sunlight for long periods.

Installation

Both Vinyl flooring and Laminate flooring are designed to be easy to install.

SPC Vinyl Floor tiles utilise an innovative, patented installation technology called UNICLIC.

UNICLIC flooring planks require no glue or adhesives at all during installation, and instead snap or click together via a tongue-and-groove design. This makes SPC Vinyl Flooring the amateur DIYer’s go-to choice.

Laminate Flooring, on the other hand, tends to come in rolls, which can require a little more skill to cut to size, but can at the same time cover oddly-shaped rooms with greater ease. Tile Merchant also stocks wood-effect laminate flooring in plank-form, for a similar installation to SPC.

When it comes to DIY Irish home improvement, this one’s a tie. Both laminate and SPC are easy to install.

Lifespan

Both SPC vinyl flooring and laminate are designed to last a long time, that’s what they’re built to do, after all; to be an affordable yet long-lasting flooring solution for those of us looking for luxury on a budget.

Both laminate flooring and SPC tend to come with long-lasting warranties as well, usually in the range of 10+ years.

If installed properly and carefully maintained, you can expect your laminate wood floorboards to last you somewhere in the region of 15 years, whilst SPC vinyl can last well over 20.

Comfort and Sound Absorption

The quality of comfort and sound reduction in laminate and vinyl flooring ultimately relies on whether or not you choose to pair your flooring materials with an underlayment beneath the wood-effect floorboards.

Not every room will need an underlay, whilst some of our SPC Vinyl Tiles come with an underlayment pre-attached.

If laying laminate or SPC vinyl flooring over hard and uneven surfaces, like concrete, however, you will definitely want to install an underlay first, in order to avoid your new floors feeling hard and cold underfoot.

Ultimately, this category results in another tie. Both laminate and SPC vinyl flooring can feel exceptionally warm and comfortable to walk on, in bare feet, shoes or heels, provided you take care and time over their installation.

Stain and Scratch Resistance

No matter how clean and tidy your home is, accidents happen, spills occur, and who knows what creatures, critters, and children may wind up a part of the household in time.

Knowing which flooring material is more resistant to stains and scratches could save you a lot of stress and money in the long run.

Thankfully, both SPC flooring and laminate are resistant to stains thanks to their various wear layers which is one of the major reasons they’ve proved so popular among our customers across Ireland for so long.

Scratch and stain resistance make SPC vinyl floorboards and laminate flooring a winning choice for those traditionally mucky parts of the home, like bathrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, children’s bedrooms and utility rooms.

When it comes to which is best at resisting stains, both SPC vinyl and laminate are about equal.

However, we think SPC takes home the trophy for "most stain-resistant" because, as we mentioned before, it is a little easier to clean than laminate and can be mopped free of spills without worrying about causing water damage.

Recommended Installation Areas for Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring

You can install both SPC flooring and laminate flooring in almost any room in your Irish home or commercial unit. Both options look absolutely stunning wherever they are installed, both are highly-durable, and both can be fitted to any size or shape of room with relative ease.

Below is a list of the most popular recommended installation areas for SPC vinyl flooring and laminate wood-effect floorboards:

• Offices
• Cafés and restaurants
• Retail showrooms
• Household hallways
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms (SPC is recommended here because of its 100% waterproof rating)
• Bedrooms  (laminate may offer a little more warmth for those bedtime bare feet!)
• Living rooms
• Conservatories
• Pantries
• Utility rooms (SPC vinyl flooring is especially good in rooms like this because it’s so easy to clean)

SPC Vinyl or Laminate Flooring — Which is Best for You?

Whether you choose laminate flooring or luxury SPC vinyl flooring for your next indoor flooring or commercial renovation project is really up to you, but we’ve put together a few final tips to help you decide.

• If budget is your priority, then laminate flooring, being cheaper on average, could be just the ticket.
• However, when it comes to overall quality of design, durability, lifespan, versatility, care, cleaning, and stain- and water-resistance, there’s simply no denying that SPC vinyl flooring comes out on top every time.

With a small but highly-curated range of SPC flooring to choose from at Tile Merchant, and an even wider range of laminate, you really can’t go wrong.

Browse our online flooring ranges today and we guarantee you'll find something just perfect for your next DIY interior design project.

Delivery available to any home address, worksite or warehouse in Ireland, seven days a week. Thanks for reading, and happy hunting!

Additional Inquiries?

As you explore the world of flooring options, it’s natural to have questions and seek clarity on the choices available.

Stone polymer composite flooring (SPC vinyl) and laminate flooring are two prominent contenders in the flooring market, each offering a unique set of benefits and features.

To assist you in making an informed decision for your flooring needs, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding SPC and laminate flooring.

If you find yourself in need of further assistance or have additional inquiries not covered in our FAQs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us or come along and pop into one of our three gorgeous showrooms to chat to us in person.

Tile Merchant’s showrooms are located in Coolock, Ballymount, and Ashbourne, Co. Meath.

You can contact us via at [ protected], where our flooring experts are ready to provide detailed responses to your questions and offer tailored advice based on your individual needs.

Additionally, if you prefer direct communication, and if you live in Ireland, you can ring us at 01 424 .

We’re here to assist you in making the best flooring choices for your home or business, ensuring that your space is not only functional but also beautifully designed to suit your preferences and lifestyle.

FAQs

Why Tile Merchant?

Tile Merchant Ireland offers extremely competitive pricing on our entire range of tiles and likewise.

Tile Merchant stocks a huge range of wall and floor tiles and our prices are competitive for retail and trade. Our stock is widely available in our tile stores in Dublin and Ashbourne (Co. Meath) which are open 7 days a week.

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to shop our tiles online, we can supply you with samples delivered for free.